Wall element for a transport device and associated transport device

Abstract

The invention relates to a wall element (100, 110) for a transport device (200), wherein the wall element (100, 110) comprises: a number of structural elements (101), and a door (103), wherein the door (103) comprises a door leaf (105) and a support element (107), wherein the door leaf (105) is movable relative to the support element (107) between an open position and a closed position, wherein the support element (107) is fixedly connected to the number of structural elements (101), wherein the door leaf (105) is movable between an open position and a closed position, and wherein the door leaf (105) and the support element (107) interlock in certain areas and have at least a partial filling with a filling material.

Description

[0001] The presented invention relates to a wall element for a transport device and a transport device, according to the attached claims.

[0002] Transport devices, such as pallet boxes, which are used to transport goods and can be quickly loaded using a forklift, for example, usually comprise several wall elements that surround a volume for holding goods.

[0003] For easy loading of transport devices, doors are known which are arranged on a respective wall element in order to lower the height of a loading edge of the transport device if necessary.

[0004] Common doors are susceptible to deformation due to thermal stress, for example, from temperature fluctuations in their environment. Such deformation can cause a door to jam in a wall element, potentially making it impossible to open.

[0005] Furthermore, some known doors for transport devices are shaped in such a way that, when open, they overhang a corresponding wall element, thus increasing the depth of the wall element or the transport device itself. Due to this overhang, situations can arise where the door is damaged or knocked off, for example, when being moved into a storage location.

[0006] Accordingly, a transport device that includes a known door in its open position cannot be placed close to or directly adjacent to another transport device, as the door requires additional clearance between the two. This means that loading a given volume, such as a container, with such transport devices either takes a long time, because the doors have to be checked and possibly closed manually, or the volume is not used optimally, which, for example, makes planning loading processes more difficult.

[0007] Against this background, one of the tasks of the presented invention is to provide a robust transport device.

[0008] Thus, according to a first aspect of the presented invention, a wall element for a transport device is presented.

[0009] The presented wall element comprises a number of structural elements and a door, wherein the door comprises a door leaf and a support element, wherein the support element is rigidly connected to the number of structural elements, wherein the door leaf is movable relative to the support element between an open position and a closed position, wherein the number of structural elements forms a receptacle in which the support element is arranged and into which the door leaf engages in its open position, wherein in its open position the door leaf overlaps the support element and the combined depth of the door leaf and the support element corresponds to at most the depth of the number of structural elements, wherein the door leaf comprises a number of first door leaf areas and a number of second door leaf areas, wherein the depth of the first door leaf areas is greater than the depth of the second door leaf areas.wherein the support element comprises a number of first support element areas and a number of second support element areas, wherein the depth of the first support element areas is less than the depth of the second support element areas, wherein in the open position of the door leaf the first door leaf areas engage in the first support element areas and the second support element areas engage in the second door leaf areas, and wherein the door leaf and / or the support element, particularly preferably the door leaf, has at least a partial filling with a filling material.

[0010] An internal rib structure known from practice does not constitute a section-by-section filling within the meaning of the present invention.

[0011] The support element can be designed as a single piece or in multiple pieces and, for example, form a separate component which is connected to the number of structural elements, or the support element can be designed as a single piece with a number of structural elements and form a section of a number of structural elements.

[0012] Furthermore, the door, in particular the door leaf and / or the supporting element, can be designed in the form of a hollow profile, such that a number of walls of the door enclose a cavity, preferably forming a number of internal chambers. For example, the door leaf and / or the supporting element, particularly preferably the door leaf, can have a number of chambers in which a filling material is arranged.

[0013] Preferably, a filling material can be arranged in a number of chambers, wherein the number of chambers is substantially filled, or more preferably, completely filled. In contrast to a known rib structure within the cavity, where, viewed in cross-section, the rib height is greater than the rib widths, a chamber according to the invention can preferably have a chamber width, viewed in cross-section, which is substantially at least equal to the chamber height. The rib or chamber height extends approximately perpendicular to the plane of extension of the door leaf or the support element. In one embodiment, an internal rib structure can form the chambers.

[0014] In the context of the presented invention, "number" means a singular or plural feature.

[0015] The presented invention is based on a door comprising a door leaf and a support element. The door leaf is movable relative to the support element, for example, pivotable about a substantially horizontal axis. Accordingly, the door leaf can be pivoted onto or away from the support element. In its open position, the door leaf overlaps the support element, at least partially, so that the door leaf and the support element are arranged in a congruent manner.

[0016] Accordingly, the door leaf and the support element mutually support each other, at least when the door leaf is open. To this end, the support element forms first and second support element areas that interact with the first and second door leaf areas, such that, in the open position of the door leaf, the first door leaf areas engage with the first support element areas and the second support element areas engage with the second door leaf areas.

[0017] In particular, when the door leaf is open, the first door leaf sections engage with the first support element sections, and the second support element sections engage with the second door leaf sections, such that the depth of the door formed by the door leaf and the support element remains constant. This means that the first door leaf sections are essentially as deep as the second support element sections. Furthermore, this means that the second door leaf sections and the first support element sections form recesses that are essentially deep enough to accommodate the second support element sections and the first door leaf sections, respectively. In other words, the first door leaf sections and the first support element sections, as well as the second door leaf sections and the second support element sections, correspond, specifically forming a positive fit.

[0018] The invention presented is based on the essential consideration that, firstly, an open door leaf together with a support element creates a statically activatable, i.e., load-bearing, composite, and secondly, that even a closed door ensures sufficient load-bearing capacity by arranging a filling material, although the door leaf and the support element can each be designed to be comparatively thin relative to a structural element.

[0019] Compared to known wall elements or transport devices, this proposal offers added value by addressing the general need to reduce transport weight, save material, and conserve resources, while simultaneously ensuring sufficient load-bearing capacity and robustness. This is because transport devices of the presented type, as logistical tools, are exposed to a wide variety of environmental conditions and handling methods. The proposed invention resolves this apparent conflict of objectives, enabling the realization of particularly thin wall constructions with sufficient stability, even with comparatively large door openings or door leaves and correspondingly large support elements.

[0020] As proposed, the door, which includes the support element and the door leaf, is shaped such that its depth is at most equal to the number of structural elements. This means that the proposed wall element exhibits a constant maximum thickness or depth, regardless of whether the door leaf is open or closed. Accordingly, a transport device comprising the proposed wall element can be positioned close to or directly next to another transport device or a wall, regardless of the door leaf's position, without requiring any additional clearance for the door leaf.

[0021] The invention accepts that filling the cavity with a filling material increases the weight of the door leaf or the supporting element relative to its surface area, even though the goal is to reduce weight. However, an unexpected effect was observed: with increasing the filling material, a significantly higher load-bearing capacity can be achieved, allowing the depth of the cavity to be reduced or the component size to be increased without having to worry about falling below a minimum load-bearing threshold.

[0022] A filling material in the door leaf and / or in the support element, in particular in a number of chambers of the door leaf and / or the support element, is also advantageous in that no significant distortion is to be expected during the manufacture of the components, although such thin constructions can generally tend to be prone to this.

[0023] It may be provided that at least the first and / or second door leaf areas form chambers, particularly preferably at least the first door leaf areas which are filled with a filling material.

[0024] The chambers filled with a filling material make the door leaf particularly resistant to mechanical and thermal stress, so that it does not warp or deform significantly even under high temperature fluctuations.

[0025] It may also be provided that at least the first and / or second support element areas form chambers that are filled with a filling material.

[0026] The chambers filled with a filling material make the support element particularly resistant to mechanical and thermal stress, so that it does not warp or deform even under high temperature fluctuations.

[0027] Alternatively or additionally, a number of chambers can have a rib structure, i.e., internal support structures, which can particularly increase the torsional stiffness of the components.

[0028] It may further be stipulated that the filling material comprises at least one material from the following list: foam, polyurethane foam, plastic, metal, silicone, bulk material. In particular, it may be stipulated that the filling material corresponds to the material from which the door leaf, the supporting element and / or the number of structural elements are substantially formed.

[0029] In particular, foam-like structures, preferably polyurethane foam, have proven to be a technically suitable means of reinforcing the supporting element or door leaf, as they are mechanically and thermally resilient, lightweight, inexpensive, and easy to insert into the chambers. Furthermore, foam-like, i.e., porous, structures add comparatively little weight while significantly increasing strength.

[0030] For example, the filling material can form an insert that can be placed in or removed from the support element or door leaf as needed. A plastic material, for instance, can be used as the filling material.

[0031] It may still be intended that the door leaf is a solid component.

[0032] A solid, particularly monolithic, component is especially mechanically and thermally stable. Furthermore, a solid component can be easily manufactured by injection molding. According to the invention, a solid component is thus completely filled with a filler material, so that it particularly preferably comprises essentially a single material.

[0033] Accordingly, it can still be provided that the support element is a solid component.

[0034] It may also be provided that the door leaf is rotatable about an essentially horizontally oriented pivot axis or is displaceable along an essentially vertical guide mounted on the number of structural elements.

[0035] For example, a pivot axis running horizontally through the door leaf allows for robust mechanical movement of the door leaf. Such a pivot axis can also be easily replaced if damaged.

[0036] A door leaf, mounted along a vertical axis in a guide and slidable against a number of structural elements, can be moved within the wall element, allowing the door leaf to be moved even in confined spaces, such as a densely packed container. Accordingly, for example, all doors of numerous densely packed transport devices within a container can be closed after the last transport device has been placed inside.

[0037] It may also be provided that the door leaf, in its open position, is aligned with the number of structural elements.

[0038] A flush door leaf, i.e., one that is aligned with a structural element in at least one plane, ensures protection of the door leaf by the structural element, since, for example, a component guided along the structural element slides over the door leaf without tearing it off or anything similar.

[0039] It may also be provided that the support element runs in line with the number of structural elements.

[0040] A support element that is at least partially aligned with or runs in the same plane as a respective structural element ensures protection of the support element by the structural element, since, for example, a component guided along the structural element slides over the support element without tearing it off or the like.

[0041] By combining a door leaf that is flush with or runs in a plane with a respective structural element with a support element that is flush with or runs in a plane with a respective structural element, the space available within the structural component is optimally utilized, resulting in a particularly mechanically robust door.

[0042] It may also be provided that the number of structural elements forms a U-shaped frame in which the door leaf together with the support element forms a rectangular insert.

[0043] An insert formed by the door leaf together with the support element can, for example, be reversibly connected to the frame, so that the door can be replaced if necessary.

[0044] In a particularly preferred development, the combined depth of the door leaf and support element can be a maximum of 20 to 40 mm, including variations of plus / minus 2 mm. Initial tests have shown a combined total depth of 30 mm, i.e., between 28 and 32 mm, to be particularly advantageous. Surprisingly, comparatively high load-bearing capacities can be achieved for these thin dimensions by filling a number of chambers and interlocking the door leaf and support element in certain areas. Furthermore, walls that are folded and placed on the base of a transport device result in a comparatively low stacking height, thus minimizing space requirements.

[0045] According to a second aspect, the presented invention relates to a transport device, wherein the transport device comprises a base element and a plurality of wall elements movably connected to the base element, wherein respective wall elements are movably arranged on the base element between a transport position and a storage position, wherein the plurality of wall elements are erected in the transport position and surround a volume for receiving goods, wherein the plurality of wall elements are stacked on top of each other in the storage position, and wherein at least one wall element of the plurality of wall elements is a wall element according to the invention.

[0046] Due to the wall element according to the invention, the presented transport device, which can be, for example, a pallet box, can be easily loaded and unloaded even in confined spaces, such as in a container. For this purpose, the door leaf of the wall element according to the invention can be moved vertically within the wall element between its open and closed positions. Moving the door leaf into its open position lowers a loading edge of the transport device, and moving the door leaf into its closed position raises the loading edge, thus maximizing the volume enclosed by the transport device.

[0047] Further features, details and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the wording of the claims and from the following description of exemplary embodiments with reference to the drawings. The drawings show: Fig. 1 a perspective view of an embodiment of a transport device with door leaves in the closed position, Fig. 2 a perspective view of the embodiment made of Fig. 1 , whose door leaves are in their open position, and Fig. 3 a door of the transport device according to Figs. 1 and 2 in a detailed presentation.

[0048] In Fig. 1 A transport device 200 is shown. The transport device 200 is shown as an example of a pallet box.

[0049] The transport device 200 comprises a base element 201 and a plurality of wall elements 203 movably connected to the base element 201, wherein the wall elements 203 are movably arranged on the base element 201 between a transport position and a storage position.

[0050] The wall elements 203 are shown here in their transport position and erected accordingly, so that they enclose a volume for receiving goods. Two of the wall elements 203, namely 100 and 110, each comprise a substantially U-shaped structural element 101 and a door 103.

[0051] The doors 103 in turn comprise a door leaf 105 and a support element 107. The support element 107 is located in the Fig. 1 The closed position of the respective door leaf 105 is shown below the door leaf 105.

[0052] The door leaves 105 are each arranged in a movable manner relative to the structural elements 101 on the structural element 101.

[0053] The support elements 107 are firmly connected to the structural elements 101.

[0054] The door leaves 105 are located between one in Fig. 2 shown open position and one in Fig. 1 The depicted closed position is movable.

[0055] The U-shaped structural elements 101 each form a recess in which the respective support element 107 and the respective door leaf 105 are arranged. Accordingly, the support element 107 and the door leaf 105 are arranged within the structural element 101 in all three spatial dimensions. This applies to both the open and the closed positions of the door leaf 105.

[0056] In Fig. 2 The door leaves 105 are shown in their open position. Accordingly, the support elements 107 are no longer visible, as they are covered by the door leaves 105.

[0057] It is clearly evident here that the door leaves 105, even in the open position, do not extend beyond the respective structural element 101 in their depth. This means that the transport device 200, for example, can be moved directly against a wall, i.e., in direct contact with it, without the wall being able to tear off or damage one of the door leaves 105. Rather, the door leaves 105 form a flat surface with the structural elements 101, which, due to the support elements 107 and their interaction with the door leaves 105, as shown in Fig. 3 shown in detail, is particularly mechanically resilient.

[0058] In Fig. 3A door 103 is shown in detail. Here it can be seen that in its open position the door leaf 105 overlaps the support element 107 and the combined depth of the door leaf 105 and the support element 107, i.e., the depth of the door 103, corresponds at most to the depth of the corresponding structural element 101, as indicated by arrow 109.

[0059] Furthermore, in Fig. 3 It is easy to see that the door leaf 105 comprises a number of first door leaf areas 111 and a number of second door leaf areas 113, wherein the depth of the first door leaf areas 111 is greater than the depth of the second door leaf areas 113.

[0060] Similarly, the support element 107 comprises a number of first support element areas 115 and a number of second support element areas 117, wherein the depth extent of the first support element areas 115 is smaller than the depth extent of the second support element areas 117.

[0061] In the Fig. 3 In the open position of the door leaf 105 shown, the first door leaf sections 111 engage with the first support element sections 115, and the second support element sections 117 engage with the second door leaf sections 113. Accordingly, the door leaf 105 and the support element 107 form a door of constant thickness or constant depth, in which the door leaf 105 and the support element 107 mechanically stabilize each other.

[0062] For example, the first door leaf areas 111 and the second support element areas 117, and optionally also the second door leaf areas 113 and the first support element areas 115, are filled with polyurethane foam.

[0063] The invention is not limited to one of the embodiments described above, but can be modified in many different ways.

[0064] All features and advantages arising from the claims, the description and the drawing, including design details, spatial arrangements and process steps, can be essential to the invention both individually and in various combinations. Reference symbol list

[0065] 100 Wall element 101 Structural element 103 Door 105 Door leaf 107 Support element 109 Arrow 110 Wall element 111 First door leaf area 113 Second door leaf area 115 First support element area 117 Second support element area 200 Transport device 201 Floor element 203 Wall element

Claims

1. Wall element (100, 110) for a transport device (200), wherein the wall element (100, 110) comprises: a number of structural elements (101), and a door (103), wherein the door (103) comprises a door leaf (105) and a support element (107), wherein the support element (107) is rigidly connected to the number of structural elements (101), wherein the door leaf (105) is movable relative to the support element (107) between an open position and a closed position, wherein the number of structural elements (101) forms a receptacle in which the support element (107) is arranged and into which the door leaf (105) engages in its open position, wherein in its open position the door leaf (105) overlaps the support element (107) and a depth extension of the door leaf (105) and the support element (107) in combination of at most one Depth extent of the number of structural elements (101) corresponds to,wherein the door leaf (105) comprises a number of first door leaf areas (111) and a number of second door leaf areas (113), wherein the depth of the first door leaf areas (111) is greater than the depth of the second door leaf areas (113), wherein the support element (107) comprises a number of first support element areas (115) and a number of second support element areas (117), wherein the depth of the first support element areas (115) is less than the depth of the second support element areas (117), wherein in the open position of the door leaf (105) the first door leaf areas (111) engage in the first support element areas (115) and the second support element areas (117) engage in the second door leaf areas (113), and wherein the door leaf (105) and / or the support element (107) has at least a partial infill with a filling material.

2. Wall element (100, 110) according to claim 1, characterized by thatat least the first and / or second door leaf areas (111, 113) form chambers which are filled with a filling material.

3. Wall element (100, 110) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by that at least the first and / or second support element areas (115, 117) form chambers that are filled with a filling material.

4. Wall element (100, 110) according to claim 2 or 3, characterized by that The filling material includes at least one material from the following list: foam, polyurethane foam, plastic, metal, silicone, bulk material.

5. Wall element (100, 110) according to claim 1, characterized by that the door leaf (105) is a solid component.

6. Wall element (100, 110) according to claim 1 or 5, characterized by that the support element (107) is a solid component.

7. Wall element (100, 110) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by thatthe door leaf (105) is mounted on the number of structural elements (101) so as to be rotatable about a substantially horizontal pivot axis or displaceable along a substantially vertical guide.

8. Wall element (100, 110) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the door leaf (105) in its open position is aligned with the number of structural elements (101).

9. Wall element (100, 110) according to claim 8, characterized by that the support element (107) is aligned with the number of structural elements (101).

10. Wall element (100, 110) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that The number of structural elements (101) forms a U-shaped frame in which the door leaf (105) together with the support element (107) forms an essentially rectangular insert.

11. Wall element (100, 110) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by thatthe depth of the door leaf (105) and the support element (107) in combination shall be at most 20 to 40 mm, in particular at most 30 mm.

12. Transport device (200), wherein the transport device (200) comprises: a base element (201), a plurality of wall elements (100, 110, 203) movably connected to the base element (201), wherein respective wall elements (100, 110, 203) are movably arranged on the base element (201) between a transport position and a storage position, wherein the plurality of wall elements (100, 110, 203) are erected in the transport position and surround a volume for receiving goods, wherein the plurality of wall elements (100, 110, 203) are stacked on top of each other in the storage position, and wherein at least one wall element (100, 110) of the plurality of wall elements (100, 110, 203) is a wall element (100, 110) according to any one of claims 1 to 11.

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